La Grande Plage
Biarritz's main beach, La Grande Plage. The clouds in the background make for a nice setting, but signal what was to come: StormWatch 2008. YIKES! It began raining around 12:30pm and poured buckets all day long. With the hurricane-force winds, it was impossible to escape the horizontal driving rain. We failed to watch the morning news or check the Doppler 7000, and so, were painfully unprepared for the storm. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, or makes you heavier because your tailored jeans are soaked through and weigh at least 12lbs.
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader am... ... read more 
